COM 3928 Communication Research Methods
Taught by Dr. Thomas Muller
Thomas Mueller, Associate Professor of Advertising in the Department of Communication, recently developed an "Appalachian & the Community Together" (ACT) service learning project with Watauga County Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) for his Communication Research Methods course. The research construct was "perception of charitable giving." The goal was to make recommendations for strategies related to psychological perceptions of consumers and potential benefactors for Habitat. Students conducted qualitative interviews, created a survey instrument, collected data, and then developed insights and made recommendations related to advertising and promotional messaging. Key findings indicate a good reputation is essential to a positive public perception; representing ethical values resonates with consumers; and the use of celebrities is not necessarily effective in marketing Habitat's brand image. Several students from the course are currently submitting their research report to Explorations – the Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities for the State of North Carolina.
COM 3305. Communication Law
Taught by Dr. Paul Gates
Professor Paul Gates's research examines privacy as a critical take on corporate America's demographic stratification of internet users to target groups with different messages. He sees the concept of sustainability through social justice as a large part of his Communication Law course, in which he approaches the purpose of the First Amendment as a protector of democracy. It serves this role by shielding unpopular speech from government interference and, when properly applied, equalizes opportunities for all to participate in the political process on an equal footing.
COM 2612. Broadcast Newswriting
Taught by Dr. Ginger Loggins
Much of the in Dr. Ginger Loggins's courses and research applies to sustainable social practices. In Broadcast Newswriting, Loggins's teaches students how to compassionately and kindly treat sources and to consider the way they portray information to avoid exaggeration. Her current research investigates how the Ferguson case was discussed online as well as how media can best deal with race as a police descriptor when providing information on wanted suspects.
Additional Relevant Courses in the Communication Department
- COM 2124. Intercultural Communication
- COM 3117. Environmental Communication
- COM 3118. Communicating Coal in Appalachia
- COM 3130. Minorities in Media
- COM 3151. Gender Communication